“In the butt, Bob.”
It’s been a year.
Biggest thing is my job. I’ve been there for 7 1/2 years now, and in the past 3 years (i.e., after we were bought by a big advertising holding company), things have steadily declined. I used to really love working at this place, and while I still like many of my colleagues, and my clients, the general quality-of-life has become terrible. Many of my friends at the agency have left, and I’ve been actively job-hunting for most of this year – in the past month, I had a strong lead on a new gig, but learned this week that, while I was very impressive in my interviews, I came in second place. 
I’ve been fighting depression, and saw a therapist for a while this summer. I’ve also developed IBS, which is clearly being triggered by stress.
We had to have two major, expensive, emergency plumbing projects done this year, both dealing with the sewer line running from the house to the street.
I’ve had several good friends die suddenly this year, and seen several other friends deal with serious illness. Both of my octogenarian parents suffered injuries from falls during the year, though they’re both recovering well.
I know I have a lot of things to be thankful for…but, lawdy, some days, it’s hard.
I’ve got my burden, and I carry it. That’s about it.
Turned 55. I messed up, and now our 24 year old daughter won’t talk to me. Work is getting ultra political. Feeling depressed.
Retired from one job; will retire from the other on the 31st. I could go back to either/both, but hope not. Walked another Camino, published a book, lost several people. Currently trying Ozempic. Currently have COVID. Looking forward to more writing and walking time.
Dull. Money is tight and my health has taken a turn for the worse so I can’t take my daily 3-5 mile walk. I don’t love my job and in spite of the fact that I can’t afford it, I gave notice back in September, but they have been unable to find a replacement, so I’m still there. I did negotiate for a little better pay and even fewer hours, but it’s still kicking my butt to have to continue to work at all.
Something is wrong with my relationship with my daughter and I don’t know what it is or how to mend it. She suffers from depression and anxiety so maybe I can’t do anything, but I don’t see as much of my grandkids as I used to. I’m alone so much and I hate it. I’m terribly lonely.
But I still know I’m better off than most human beings on the planet and I’m very grateful that I don’t live on the streets. I’d rather be dead than homeless.
I’d would like to wish a better year ahead for those of you who’ve had a less than great 2022. And continued good things for the rest of you.
Quit my job, did something else for a few months, went back to my old job, found out they’re still counting my time there before bouncing back and forth for seniority and pay/bonus
I remember being in your shoes. Life goals all completed etc. I rolled with it, did a remodel on my life and myself image and am well into my second adulthood.
ETA I was 32 when I had my crisis
The last 3 years have been full of promising changes ultimately leading to disappointments. Believe it or not, Covid was just a minor sideshow in all that’s been going on in my life since November 2019.
The key event of 2022 was my long protracted break-up with Gini in mid-July. I dedicated a couple of threads about our should-have-been-amazing-but-turned-out-a-failure relationship when I joined. Exactly three years ago to this day, I was on top of the world. We were just beginning, and I felt that life was giving me an unhoped-for second chance, with a woman that was absolutely wonderful in every respect. Yet, when we separated last summer, all I felt was relief.
Now, I find myself at 48, single, trying to rebuild my life once more. My priority is trying to reconnect with my daughters. Then, I focus on doing things I like, playing the piano, going to yoga practice and classical music concerts, meeting some new people. Taking things as they come, one day at the time.
I’ll spend Christmas with my parents and brother. Just the 4 of us for the first time in over 20 years. In a way, it’s sweet, like returning to a comforting past era. On the other hand, it’s hard not to see this as an acknowledgment of failure for all of us. My father’s health is quickly declining, my mother’s usual self-pity has taken a turn for the worse and my brother, who used to be so quick-witted and full of life as a kid, has repeatedly shot himself in the foot throughout his adult life and doesn’t expect anything from it anymore.
Been a pretty eventful year for me really, which is most of the reason I’ve barely been posting- it’s been busy. In chronological order I’d guess the highights are: acquired a tiny niece, finished my master’s degree, started a PhD, and just over a week ago bought my first house, in Scotland.
Any of those things would have been utterly unexpected just a few years back.
Scotland is my favorite country. I had plans to retire there, but the UK changed their foreigner retirement laws. Where about in Scotland is your house? Don’t worry; I won’t drop in without an invitation!
Got a raise, helluva decent raise. One less thing to complain about and now I feel compelled to go above and beyond. Well some days maybe.
Hung out in the high desert in mid August and almost croaked on the trail due to heat exhaustion and altitude. That shit got real, real fast. Actually when I’m ready I wouldn’t mind dying out there.
Sense of relief all year since my elderly parents passed last year. No more worries about them their health their finances the short notice trips. No guilt, no regrets. Though it compounds the fact we’re all facing a narrowing window of time on earth. That’s sobering and a bit of a kick in the ass.
Two adult kids I’m proud of, one is making it on her own in the big city, the other will be leaving us by the end of the year and moving out for the first time. When she gets a tattoo apprenticeship she gets to make her mark on my virgin skin.
My pets are healthy, the elder dude cat remains in vigorous health, to think I thought he was going down at one point.
Looking forward to the future with optimism as much as possible.
Congratulations! Hope 2023 treats you just as well!
It’s been weird. I embarked on a significant lifestyle change, took up running and kettlebell training, shifted toward a flexitarian diet, and generally did pretty well. Then in October came some massive changes. My son started daycare and I was promoted to full-time. The transition has been… less than ideal, as so many people have left my organization, including my boss, we are operating on a skeleton crew with a brand new, inexperienced CEO while I’m trying to learn a new job. In order to find some sanity in the midst of a hectic schedule, I started getting up three hours early to clean, meditate, run and do physical therapy. That was great! Then I was hit with a virus in late October which seemed to knock me off my game for several weeks. I was just getting my stamina back and I got the flu again last week. Also I found out I have asthma and it’s triggered every time I get sick, so that sucks. I decided to look into minimalism and slow living, so I’ve purged a bunch of crap from my home and am actively trying to spend less. Our house is cleaner than it’s ever been and we have a two year old. Despite everything I feel more in control of my life than I have in years.
The hardest part is that I haven’t been writing, and it’s created some friction with my writing buddies, really my closest friends, we’re all kind of looking at our writers group and wondering if it’s time to dissolve. In order to maintain my sanity throughout all these changes, I have had to distance myself from every writing community, unsubscribe from every newsletter, abandon every slack channel, etc. I want to write again, but now is just not the time, and when people message me asking if I want to do a swap, I want to scream. I cannot be that person right now.
I don’t know, it’s like my whole life has changed.
I’m pretty happy.
February-March: literally fled to the hills as my childhood nuclear war anxieties were brought to the forefront.
May: vacation in the Balkans–my first 3 week vacation in over 20 years.
August: My Dad passed away.
October: changes in management at work caused me to start looking to leave a job I’ve held for well over a decade
November: vacation in Central America
December: lost my best friend (mental illness, alive)
Overall, a pretty terrible year and I am very much hoping 2023 will be better.